Tipp fightback to earn draw with Carlow

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division Round 1

Carlow 2-13

Tipperary1-16

Report: Liam Hogan At Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

Photos: Enda O’Sullivan/SportsFocus

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Mark Russell (Tipperary).

SCORERS - Carlow: Aaron Amond, Conor Crowley (0-1 free) 1-3 each; Ross Dunphy 1-2; Kevin Murphy 0-2 frees; John Murphy, Mikey Bambrick, Conor Doyle 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Sean O’Connor (2x1frees, 1x2free); Mark Russell (1x2play) 0-4 each; Steven O’Brien 0-3 (1x2free); Michael Freaney 1-0; Cathal Deeley, Luke Boland, Eoghan Power, Conor Fahey (free), Cian Smith (free) 0-1 each.

After trailing by eight points approaching half time, Tipp stormed back into the game and an injury time equalising free by Sean O’Connor saw them claim a deserved share of the spoils in a highly entertaining opening round game in division 4 of the National Football League on Saturday evening.

Played under the new trial rules, this game had lots going for it with play going end to end with more emphasis on the foot pass and much more attacking play.

It was Philly Ryan’s first test as manager and his starting fifteen showed early promise helped by a Mark Russell opening score after just 25 seconds. A fisted point by Aaron Amond levelled before the teams exchanged scores through Cathal and Amond again.

Amond was a constant threat on the right and gave Carlow the lead before another equaliser, a free from debutante Conor Fahey.

Another Carlow lead point through the busy Ross Dunphy, but the scores were level for the fourth time O’Brien collected again and scored.

Then the game opened up thanks to the first two-pointer through Kevin Murphy free in the nineteenth minute. The score enhanced Carlow’s confidence and their potential up front was obvious as the excellent Conor Doyle, Ross Dunphy and Conor Crowley had the Tipp defence in trouble. Carlow’s lead increased to two before Amond converted a penalty after a foul on Dunphy.

Carlow were quicker on the break and three unanswered points, all scored by Crowley (one free which was awarded because Tipp had only two players inside the Carlow half) and at 1-10 to 0-5, things looked ominous for the visitors approaching half time.

However, Tipp showed spirit and two points by Sean O’Connor and Luke Boland had the deficit back to a manageable six as the teams headed for the dressing rooms.

Tipp manager Philly Ryan made three substitutions at half time, all necessary due to niggling injuries and the second half was a minute old when Michael Freaney had the ball in the Carlow net. Tipp continued on the front foot and looked much more business-like but they received a setback when Ross Dunphy scored a brilliant goal in the 39th minute.

Undaunted, Tipp remained focussed and three unanswered scores, the first a two pointer from play by Mark Russell followed by two Sean O’Connor frees had the margin back to two, 2-10 to 1-11 after 41 minutes.

Three wides from the premier in as many minutes made life difficult for the Premier and they suffered a minor setback when the excellent Michael Brambrick scored a point, quickly followed by a Conor Doyle score from play in the 55th minute.

Eoghan Power replied for Tipp, but Carlow were on the ascendency which was helped by the awarding of a penalty on the hour which was the follow up to Dunphy hitting the crossbar from close range. Kevin Murphy stood over the spot kick but Shane Ryan saved and Tipp were relieved.

With Carlow held scoreless since the 55th minute, Tipp took over and scores by Cian Smith (free) followed by a two pointer from a free by Steven O’Brien brought them within one.

Three minutes remained and Tipp came once more and a second past the 70th minute came the equalising free by O’Connor.

TEAMS - Carlow: Johnny Fury (7); Paddy Regan (7), Mark Furey (7), Colin Byrne (7); Shane Clarke (7), Ciaran Moran (6), Mikey Bambrick (8); Ian Atkinson (6), Liam Brennan (7); Aaron Amond (7), Conor Doyle (8), Paddy McDonnell (7); Conor Crowley (7), Ross Dunphy (8), Kevin Murphy (7).

Subs: John Murphy for Moran (19); Niall Hickey for Amond (52); Darragh O’Brien for Dunphy (67)

Tipperary: Shane Ryan (Clonmel Commercials 8); Manus McFadden (Grangemockler/Ballyneale 7), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 6), Emmett Moloney (Portlaoise 6); Eoghan Power (Ballina 7), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers 7), Jack Harney (Moyle Rovers 7); Cathal Deeley (Clonmel Commercials 6), Mark Russell (Aherlow 8); Michael Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7), Stephen O’Brien (Ballina, Capt, 7), Ben Comerford (Grangemockler/Ballyneale 7); Conor Fahey (Upperchurch/Drombane 6), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 7), Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen 6).

Subs: Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan 7) for Moloney (HT inj); Michael O’Shea (Mullinahone 7) for Brennan (HT); Tadgh Condon (Clonmel Commercials 7) for Feehan (HT inj); Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials 6) for Fahey (55); Michael Barlow (Ardfinnan 6) for Freaney (60).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).